BOJ Kuroda repeats need to maintain ultra-easy policy

TOKYO, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said on Monday the central bank must maintain its ultra-loose monetary policy as inflation remained distant from its 2 percent target.

While prolonged easing has yet to trigger excess risk-taking by investors, it was adding to strains for regional banks, already suffering from narrowing margins due to an ageing population, Kuroda told parliament.